So lots of people have Ipods, since that seems to be the popular portable music player. But how about a Microsoft Zune? Aside from the obvious cool name, wild color (mine looks like a chocolate bar) and ability to store 30gb of my MP3 files, jpeg pictures (for slide shows) and WMV videos (making some portable versions of Life on Mars, Top Gear and Robin Hood episodes to take on a trip. All BBC progs) I am wondering how well this thing will work with the MINI. I have been syncing it all evening with songs, and testing videos to see which format looks nicest. Anyway, I figure it will be a fun way to carry around a ton of music. Having portable video could be cool as well for those times when you are waiting for someone and just hanging out in the car. Anyone like the Zune over the Ipod, or vice versa?

Happy listening!

 

I don't think there's an option for controlling a Zune through the factory head unit and steering wheels controls, but you should be able to run it through an AUX input with no problems.

We opted for the factory iPod control on both of our cars, but then again, we already had the iPods, so it was an easy choice.

 

Zune......

Probably only possible through Aux port since the connection at the bottom is different than an ipods and the interface is slightly different.

 

There is nothing cool about the name Microsoft.

My iPod holds 60gb, and it was a free gift from Apple. Long story. OK, so it's just white and not a cool color.

I don't see why it wouldn't work through the AUX port. That is what I plan to do with my iPod, unless MINI of Mountain View gives me a great deal on the iPod integration installation (not likely). Is there an adaptor for the Zune that lets you charge it while you drive? I bought one of these:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...lm=TM003LL%2FA
Looks nice. It has a cable for the AUX outlet. Don't have a car to try it on yet, though. So, can't say how well it works.

I prefer the iPod on the principle of disliking Microsoft for their cutthroat tactics. They've killed or severely wounded a lot of good technology over the years.

 

Where is the aux input? (I know--silly question, but I can't find it.)

 

It's on the bottom of the center console. Below the switches. You can't see it. You have to feel for it. It is on the right side.

 

Apple has sold 100 million IPods and has 70+ % of the market. The Wall Street Journal has said that Zune represents 2+% of the market. So, until such time as Zune increases its market share significantly the new radio head unit in the R56 will continue to be Apple territory.

 

Instead of the expensive iPod integration, I simply purchased a 5 buck cable at Target and plug my mp3 player into the Aux. port, and a 25 buck cable keeps it charging in the cigarette lighter. I'm able to control the VOLUME through the steering wheel buttons, but am NOT able to change tracks or albums. While this is the cheapest fix to go beyond radio and CD alone, it is a bit of a hassle (and quite dangerous) to search out and change tracks while driving.

 

Make sure you get a docking cradle for the aux input, don't use the headphone jack unless you have to. Better sound coming from the dock, bypasses the internal amplifier.

 

Yea, and some of the docking cradles have their own amp. I believe the Belkin does. The Griffin TuneFlex also has an amp, but it has a switch to bypass it.

 

Also, make sure to increase the Aux Input volume from the menu on the head unit. You especially want to do this if you have to use the headphone jack from the player.

 

Cool advice. Thanks! I got videos working, and have to say, they look alot better than the Ipod due to the big, wide screen. I'll check into the docking and charging cradle. The sound from the headphone jack is good, but if I can get better sound from the cradle, I'd go for it.

 

i love my mini and i love my ipod. two greatest things a little money can buy.

thanks and have an oi oi oi day!

oi!

 

I hope you don't plan on watching videos while driving.

 

Videos whilst driving absolutely! All while brushing my teeth, making phone calls, getting dressed, anything to stay distracted from driving!


Ok, ok, just kidding. I ride scooters and motorcycles, so I know the ramifications of getting distracted. I even turn my phone off while driving, as fiddling with bluetooth is too distracting.

 

Zune. I wouldn't recommend it.

The Microsoft Zune is not backward compatible with WMA-DRM9; weak native video support (cannot play protected content) and no video offerings from Zune Marketplace; cannot be used as a hard drive (and no UMS support); proprietary USB; cannot use Wi-Fi to sync, stream, or purchase content; minimal bundled accessories; no podcast directory; maximum capacity is 30GB, and if you do the math on the "points" system... it's pretty expencive unless your buying a TON of music.

 

Hmm. I don't really care about DRM. I won't touch files that have that on them, prefering to buy a cd and rip it into a format I want. Same with Videos, though most tv shows are on the net now anyway and seem to sync right into the Zune. As to the Zune being a hard drive, yes, it does do that, MS just didn't want it to. I store a few gigs of stuff on there. It comes up as a little Zune-drive in My-Computer. Podcasts work well so far too. As to the price, it was just over $199, which seemed like a decent deal for something that works with exactly the same music as my Treo, NUVI and Sonos.

 

So you're the person that bought the Zune! I was wondering who it was!

 

hahahahahahaha!!! thats awesome. seriously im not a big fan of the ZUNE. its very ugly, heavy, and for crying out loud its the same price as an iPOD. have some taste, you drive a MINI get and iPOD.

 

I don't just drive a MINI... I drive a MINI Cooper S! ;-)

The Zune was on a special sale, and as I explained, it likes the music I want to play on it. No need for Itunes, DRM, strange formats, etc. But I am not the only one... a friend of mine has one too. And alot of folks in Europe that I met would have liked to buy one, but can't as Zunes aren't for sale there yet.

I'll give you all this... the Ipod is smaller, and shiny. But it has a much smaller screen, and I actually bought the Zune more for videos than audio. (I can play mp3s on my Treo and NUVI)

 

Yeah! Fellow Zune/Mini Owner. (Check out VAJACASES.COM, and you can get a really nice leather case that matches the colors of your Mini).

Since you're in DC, tell you what, if I see you on the road, I'll beam you a song! Actually a friend and I have already tried this, and it does work if both cars/zunes are stationary at a stop light or intersection. So if we are speeding off on the Beltway (yeah right!), maybe not...

But check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOBhQcj0IT8

Wouldn't it be AWESOME to get the Zune to work with on the Nav System Screen? This wouldn't be so hard if there was a Video Input on the Nav System.

I definately agree with the idea of a dock since it will give you a bit more of a volume boost.

Also, I know a bunch of guys who are reverse engineering a compatibility adapter that will turn all those thousands of ipod accessories into Zune accessories. So who knows... we might be able to use the ipod factory soon. It's a hush hush project because Apple's lawyers have already come a knocking with Cease and Desist orders. Did I hear someone on this thread say something about Microsoft and squashing competition?

 

It's a hush hush project and you are talking about it on an internet forum?

I think you are referring to my comment about Microsoft, "They've killed or severely wounded a lot of good technology over the years." I wouldn't say that Apple's legal department is saintly by any stretch of the imagination, but there is a difference between protecting one's own patents and the predatory tactics taken by MS. You didn't say what the exact issue was, but it sounds like something like a patent issue.

 

So after its release, Zune's project director stepped aside. This should tell us something about the product.

 

Ok, ok, sorry I brought it up. Let's avoid starting a flame war over this. Let's all just say that as this site demonstrates that passionate individuals can get together and reasonably discuss the things we are passionate about. I gotta say, it took a lot of nerve for someone to risk ridicule to talk about zune, knowing full well where the marketplace is right now, how the media poo-poos anything Microsoft (and conversely gushes over anything Apple), and looking over the number of threads here that have the word "ipod" in their titles.

We all agree on one thing above all else, and that's Minis, which, in the grand scheme of things, is far more important to me and the reason I come to this site. I don't come here for an ipod vs zune discussion.

For those nay-sayers, I'll just add that Microsoft has a track record of gaining marketshare, when they just commit the resources to it. I'm not downplaying their business tactics or their past. But just take this example, six years ago, people were laughing at the Xbox, no-one was developing for it, the press said it would be a failure and Sony was enjoying a comfortably dominate position in the game console world. But with no means of leveraging monopolies in Windows or Office, Microsoft is now enjoying a healthy marketshare with the Xbox. I welcome competition whether it is FROM Microsoft or if it is AGAINST Microsoft. It ultimately gives more choice to the consumer and that means cooler and cheaper products for all of us.

The fact remains that I, as both a friend of zune and a friend of mini am interested in openly discussing cool ways of getting the two of them working in as optimally a configuration as possible and not interested is starting flame war. Ultimately, I want to listen to my music in my car and I welcome any suggestions to make that more enjoyable.

I fully respect our differences in opinion, but would just point out that if someone came onto any of these forums and started bashing minis and promoting some lesser car, we would all be pretty annoyed.

Humble and civily yours...

 

Agreed. My post wasn't meant to start a flame war between Ipod fans and Zune fans (all two of us!)

More importantly, BludyL, are you coming on the MINI run tommorrow?? It starts in Rockville. Would be great to get more MINIs. Bring your Zune and we can try sending files.

You can see my car in my gallery, so you'll know it's me. Though to be honest, it is rarely left on the street anywhere, since I mainly drive for fun.